Honing tool

ABSTRACT

A honing tool incorporating improved means for mounting and retaining abrasive elements in the honing tool.

ited States Patent [1 1 Giilette HONING TOOL v [75] Inventor: Robert H.Gillette, Pendelton, Ind.

[73] A'ssignee: Micromatic Industries, Inc.,

Holland, Mich.

[22] Filed: Sept. 22, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 291,279

[52] 11.8. C1. 51/338, 51/204 [51] Int. Cl B24b 5/06 [58] Field ofSearch 51/204, 338-354 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS3,064,397 11/1962 Czubak..'....- .1 51/346 [4 1 May 14, 1974 3,154,89311/1964 Greenberg et a1. 51/338 X 3,403,481 10/1968 McDonald 51/338 X3,641,715 2/1972 Kramm 51/204 3,672,102 6/1972 Johnson 51/204 3,711,2601/1973 Kramm et a1. 51/204 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 683,25011/1939 Germany 51/349 Primary Examiner-Othell M. Simpson Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Ma1co1m R. McKinnon [57] ABSTRACT A honing toolincorporating improved means for mounting and retaining abrasiveelements in the honing tool.

20 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures PM Him 14 @924 13.810 333 swan a nr 4PATENTED MAY 14 I974 1 HONING TOOL BRIEF SUMMARY OF Til-IE INVENTION theart as honing stones) have been utilized for many years to honecylindrical bores in workpieces. Heretofore, various means have beenutilized for the purpose of mounting and retaining the abrasive elementsin the honing tools, such means often including plastic, aluminum, diecast, or other materials which are utilized to hold the abrasive honingelements in the honing tool. During the honing cycle, the abrasiveelements are conventionally rotated and simultaneously reciprocated inthe workpiece in abrading engagement with the workpiece surface beinghoned with the result that the abrasive elements gradually wear away andbecome worn out. I-Ieretofore, difficulties have been encountered as theabrasive elements wear out because the plastic, aluminum, die cast orother-materials utilized to mount and retain the abrasive elements inthehoning tool sometimes come in contact with the surface being honed withresultant damage to the workpiece.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned aswell as other disadvantages in prior honing tools and means for mountingand retaining abrasive honing elements therein and to provide animproved honing tool incorporating improved means for mounting andretaining abrasive elements therein whereby a uniform surface ofabrasive is presented to the surface being honed without'the influenceof plastic, aluminum, die cast, or other materials being in contact withthe surface being honed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved slotted bodytype honing tool incorporating improved means formounting and retainingabrasive honing elementstherein which permits the body of the tool tohave increased wall thickness thereby increasing the strengthand'rigidity of the tool. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means forretainingabrasive elements in honing tools which prevents the abrasiveelements from becoming disassembled from the honing tool upon withdrawalof the tool from the workpiece'after a honing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved honing toolhaving increased operating life and incorporating improved means forretaining abrasive honing elements therein whereby improvement in thequality of the honed workpieces is obtained and costv savings areeffected.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved honing toolincorporating improved means for mounting and retaining abrasiveelements therein which means is self-retaining and which permitsincreased utilization of the abrasive honing elements without scratchingor smearing of the surfaces of the workpiece being honed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved meansfor mounting and retaining abrasive honing elements in a honing toolwhereby the abrasive 2 elements may be easily installed and replacedwith a minimum expenditure of time, labor and expense.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved means formounting and retaining honing elements that is relatively simple inconstruction, economical to manufacture and assemble, durable, efficientand reliable in operation.

The above as well as other objects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description, theappended claims and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, longitudinalsectional view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the structureillustrated in FIG. 1, showing the same prior .to the time that theexpander plate has come into final engagement with the abrasive stoneand shell assembly;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodi- I ment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of another embodiment of I the invention,showing the relative configuration of the components prior to the timethat the stone and shell assembly have been installed in the hone body;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of ment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention,showing the same installed in a honing tool body and prior to the timethat the stone and shell assembly has come into final engagement withthe expander plate;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention.illustrated in FIG.'9, showing the same after the stone and shellassembly has come into contact with the expander plate;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectionalview of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the structureillustrated in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the mounting member of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 14, showing the same with the abrasive elementremoved therefrom the clarity of illustration;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of a portion of the structureillustrated in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG.16, taken on the line 1'7--17 thereof;

. FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG.16, taken on the line 18-18 thereof;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG.16, taken on the line l9-l9 thereof; and

another embodi- FIG. is an exploded view of the central portions of thetool body and expander plate of the embodiment of the inventionillustrated in FIGS. 13 through 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings, one embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 thereof and is comprised ofa honing tool, generally designated 20, which is adapted to be rotatedand reciprocated in the bore of a workpiece in a conventional manner.The honing tool 20 includes a substantially cylindrical body 22 defininga plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending slots24 each adapted to receive an abrasive stone and shell assemblygenerally designated 26. The honing tool 20 also includes a generallycone-shaped member 28 which is mounted for relative reciprocation withinthe bore 30 defined by the body 22, the member 28 being fixed to anoperating rod 32 which functions to advance and retract the member 28relative to the body 22. The members 22, 28 and 32 may be made of steelor other suitable material having sufficient strength to withstand theforces exerted thereon. The member 28 is adapted to bear against aplurality of circumferentially spaced expander plates 34 which projectgenerally radially outwardly from the member 28, the outer end portionsof the expander plates 34 being disposed within an associated slot 24and being adapted to force the stone and shell assemblies 26 radiallyoutwardly of the slots as the member 28 moves downwardly in the bore 30,as viewed in FIG. 1. The expander plates 34 may be made of steel,plastic or other suitable material having sufficient strength towithstand the forces exerted thereon.

As shown in FIG. 2A, each of the stone and shell assemblies 26 iscomprised ofa generally channel-shaped mounting member 36 having a webportion 38 and a pair of integral flange portions40 and 42 depending inspaced relationship from the opposite sides-of the web portion 38. Themounting member 36 may be made of aluminum, steel or other suitablematerial having sufficient strength and flexibility to withstand theforces exerted thereon. By way of example, the mounting member 36 may bemade of extruded aluminum with the flanges and web having a thickness of0.012 to 0.016 inches. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an abrasive element44 is provided which may be made of any suitable or conventionalmaterial normally employed in the honing of workpieces, the abrasiveelement 44 being cemented or otherwise adhered to the upper surface 46of the web portion 38 of the mounting member 36. The adhesive materialutilized to cement the abrasive element to the web portion of themounting member may be any cement or other adhesive material well knownin the art to be suitable for adhering abrasive elements to metal orother materials.

In this embodiment of the invention, the walls 48 and 50 of the body 22defining the slots 24 are disposed in substantially parallelrelationship and the maximum transverse distance between the outersurfaces 52 and 54 of the flanges 40 and 42 is slightly less than theminimum transverse distance between the walls 48 and 50 defining theslots 24. In this embodiment of the invention, the maximum transversedistance between the inner surfaces 56 and 58 of the flanges 40 and 42is slightly less than the thickness of the outer end portion of theassociated expander plate 34 so that the mounting member 36 fits tightlyover the outer end portion of the expander plate'34.

In accordance with the present invention, the mounting member 36 isprovided with a radius 60 at the junction of the inner surface 56 of theflange 40 with the lower surface 62 ofthe web portion 38 and a radius 64at the junction of the inner surface 58 of the flange 42 with the lowersurface 62 of the web portion 38. The radii 60 and 64 are substantiallythe same and may be in the order of 0.010 inches to 0.030 inches. Inthis embodiment of the invention, the expander plate 34 is also providedwith a radius 66 at the junction of the side 68 of the expander platewith the upper surface 70 thereof and a radius 72 at the junction of theside 74 of the expander plate with the upper surface 70 thereof. Theradii 66 and 72 are also preferably identical and of a dimensionslightly less than the dimensions of the radii 60 and 64. For example,the radii 60 and 64 may have a dimension of 0.010 inches while the radii66 and 72 may have a dimension of 0.005 inches so that the radii 66 and72 are relatively sharp with respect to the radii 60 and 64. As shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the expander plate 34 preferably extends the fullwidth of the slot 24 for about A inch in from each end of the slot. Thisprovides stability from tilting, the length of the stone and shellassembly preferably being about /2 inch shorter than the length of theexpander plate.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone andshell assemblies 26 are initially fitted over the outer ends of theexpander plates 34 as illustrated in FIG. 2, the tight fit of theflanges 40 and 42 on the outer end portion of the expander platesserving to retain the stone and shell assemblies thereon. The honingtool 20 is then inserted in the bore of a workpiece to be honed and thecone member 28 is moved downwardly, as viewed in FIG. I, so as to forcethe expander plates 34 radially outwardly with the result that theexpander plates force the abrasive elements 44 against the surface ofthe workpiece to be honed. At the same time, the relatively sharp radii66 and 72 on the outer end portion of the expander plates 34 pressagainst the radii 60 and 64 formed in the underside of the channelshapedmounting member 36 and cause the flanges 40 and 42 to spread outwardly,as viewed in FIG. 3, and force the flanges 40 and 42 against the walls48 and 50 defining the slots 24 in the body 22 thereby causing theflanges 40 and 42 to bear tightly against the walls 48 and 50 to preventthe stone and shell assemblies 26 from moving out of the associated slot24 upon withdrawal of the honing tool from the workpiece. During thehoning operation, the abrasive elements 44 gradually wear away and, asthe abrasive elements wear away, the cone member 28 is moved downwardlythrough the agency of the rod 32 so as to maintain the abrasive elementsin abrading engagement with the surface of the workpiece being honed.The radial dimensions of the expander plates 34 are such that theexpander plates 34 will not force the upper surface 46 of the webportion 38 of the mounting member beyond the periphery of the body 22 sothat the honing tool presents a uniform surface of abrasive to thesurface being honed without the possibility of the mounting member 36coming in contact with the surface being honed.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. In thisembodiment of the invention, stone and shell assemblies 126 areprovided, each comprised of a mounting member 136 having a web portion138 and a pair of integral flange portions 140 and 142 dependin g inspaced relationship from the opposite sides of the web portion 138. Themounting member 136 also includes a pair of upstanding rib portions 141and 143 projecting upwardly from the opposite sides of the web portion138. The mounting member 136 in this embodiment of the invention and themounting members in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 through mayalso be made of aluminum, steel or other suitable material havingsufficient strength and flexibility to withstand the forces exertedthereon. By way of example, such mounting members may be made ofextruded aluminum with the flange, web and rib portions having athickness of 0.012 to 0.016 inches. As shown in FIG. 4, an abrasiveelement 144 is provided which may be made of any suitable orconventional material normally employed in the honing of workpieces. Theabrasive element 144 is cemented or otherwise adhered to the uppersurface 146 of the web portion 138 and to the ribs 141 and 143 of themember 136, the ribs 141 and 143 increasing the mechanical strength ofthe bond be-' tween the abrasive element and the mounting member.

The adhesive material utilized to cement the abrasive element to the webportion 138 and the ribs 141 and 143 of the mounting member 136 may beany cement or other adhesive material well known in the art to besuitable for adhering abrasive elements to metal or other materials.

This embodiment of the invention is also adapted to be utilized in thebody 22 wherein the walls 48 and 50 of the body 22 defining the slots 24are disposed in substantially parallel relationship. In this embodimentof the invention, the maximum transverse distance between the outersurfaces of the flanges 140 and 142 is slightly less than the minimumtransverse distance between thewalls 48 and 50 defining the slots 24. Inthis embodiment of the invention, the maximum transverse distancebetween the inner surfaces of the flanges 140 and 142 is slightly lessthan the thickness of the outer end portion of the associated expanderplate 34 so that the mounting member 136 fits tightly over the outer endportion of the expander plate 34.

In this embodiment of the invention, the mounting member 136 is providedwith a radius 160-at the junction of the inner surface of the flange 140with the lower surface of the web portion 138 and a radius 164 at thejunction of the inner surface of the flange 142 with the lower'surfaceof the web portion 138. The

radii 160 and 164 are substantially the same and may be to the order of0.010 inches to 0.030 inches. This embodiment of the invention is alsoadapted to be utilized with the expander plate 34 previously described,the expander plate 34 being provided with the radius 66 at the junctionof the side 680i the expander plate with the upper surface 70 thereofand the radius 72 at' relatively sharp with respect to the radii 160 and164.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone andshell assemblies 126 are initially fitted over the outer end portions ofthe expander plates 34,,

the tight fit of the flanges and 142 on the outer end portions of theexpander plates serving to retain the stone and shell'assembliesthereon. The honing tool body 22 is then inserted in the bore of aworkpiece to be honed and the cone member 28 is moved downwardly, aspreviously described, so as to force the expander plates 34 radiallyoutwardly with the result that the expander plates force the abrasiveelements 144 against the surface of the workpiece to be honed. At thesame time, the relatively sharp radii 66 and 72 on the outer end portionof the expander plates press against the radii and 164 formed in theunderside of the mounting member 136 and cause the flanges 140 and 142to spread outwardly and force the flanges 140 and 142 against the walls48 and 50 defining the slot 24 in the body 22 thereby causing theflanges 140 and 142 to bear tightly against the walls 48 and 50 toprevent the stone and shell assemblies 126 from moving out of theassociated slot 24 upon withdrawal of the honing tool from theworkpiece. During the honing operation, the abrasive elements 144gradually wear away and, as the abrasive elements wear away, the conemember 28 is moved downwardly through the agency of the rod 32 so as tomaintain the abrasive elements in abrading engagement with the surfaceof the workpiece being honed. The radial dimensions of-the expanderplates 34 are such that the expander plates 34 will not force the uppersurfaces of the rib portions 141 and 143 of the mounting member beyondthe periphery of the body 22 so that the honing tool presents a uniformsurface of abrasive to the surface being honed without the possibilityof the mounting member 136 coming in contact v with the surface beinghoned.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. In thisembodiment of the invention, stone and shell assemblies 226 areprovided, each comprised of a mounting member 236 having a web portion238, a pair of integral flange portions 241) and 242 depending inspaced'relationship from the opposite sides of the web portion 38, and apair of upstanding rib portions 241 and 243 projecting upwardly from theopposite sides of the web portion 238. As shown in FIG. 5, an abrasiveelement 244 is provided which may be made by any suitable orconventional material normally employed in the honing of workpieces. Theabrasive element 244 is cemented or otherwise adhered to the uppersurface of the web portion 238 of the mounting member 236 and to theribs 241 and 243 of the member 236, the ribs 241 and 243 increasing themechanicalstrength of the bond between the abrasive element and themounting member. The adhesive material utilized to cement the abrasiveelement to the web portion of the mounting member may be any suitableadhesive as previously described.

In this embodiment of the invention, the walls 48 and 50 of the body 22defining the slots 24 are disposed in substantially parallelrelationship while the flanges 240 and 242 initially flare downwardlyand outwardly from the web portion 238 so that the maximum transversedistance between the'outer surfaces 252 and 254 of the flanges 240and242 is slightly greater than the minimum transverse distance betweenthe walls 48 and S0 defining the slots 24. In this embodiment of theinvention, the maximum transverse distance between the inner surfaces256 and 258 of the flanges 240 and 242 is slightly greater than thethickness of the outer end portion of the associated expander plate 34.In this embodiment of the invention, the flanges are initially pinchedin slightly when the mounting members 236 are inserted in the slots 24so that the flanges 240 and 242 engage the walls 48 and 50 defining theslots to hold the mounting members in the slots.

In this embodiment-of the invention, the mounting member 236 is providedwith a radius 260 at the junction of the inner surface of the flange 240with the lower surface of the web portion 238 and a radius 264 at thejunction of the inner surface of the flange 242 with the lower surfaceof the web portion 238. The radii 260 and 264 are substantially the sameand may be to the order of 0.010 inches to 0.030 inches. In thisembodiment of the invention, the expander plate 34 is also provided witha radius 66, as previously described, at the junction of the side 68 ofthe expander plate with the upper surface 70 thereof and the radius 72at the junction of the side 74 of the expander plate with the uppersurface 70 thereof. The radii 66 and 72 are also preferably identicaland of a dimension slightly less than the dimensions of the radii 260and 264. For example, the radii 260 and 264 may have a dimension of 0.0linches while the radii 66 and 72 may have a dimension of 0.005 inches sothat the radii 66 and 72 are relatively sharp with respect to the radii260 and 264.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone andshell assemblies 226 are initially fitted .into the slots 24 in themanner previously described,

the tight fit of the flanges 240 and 242 against the walls 48 and 50 ofthe body 22 serving to retain the stone and shell assemblies in theslots 24. The honing tool body 22 is then inserted in the bore of aworkpiece to be honed and the cone member 28 is moved downwardly, aspreviously described, so as to force the expander plates 34 radiallyoutwardly with the result that the expander plates force the abrasiveelements 244 against the surface of the workpiece to be honed. At thesame time, the relatively sharp radii 66 and 72 on the outer end portionof the expander plates press against the radii 260 and 264 formed in theunderside of the mounting member 236 and cause the flanges 240 and 242to spread outwardly and force the flanges 240 and 242 against the walls48 and 50 defining the slot 24 in the body 22 thereby causing theflanges 240 and 242 to bear tightly against the walls 48 and 50 toprevent the stone and shell assembly 226 from moving out of theassociated slot 24 upon withdrawal of the honing tool from theworkpiece. During the honing operation, the abrasive elements 244gradually wear away and, as the abrasive elements wear away, the conemember 28 is moved downwardly through the agency of the rod 32 so as tomaintain the abrasive elements in abrading engagement with the surfaceof the workpiece being honed. The radial dimensions of the expanderplates 34 are such that the expander plates 34 will not force the uppersurfaces of the rib portions 241 and 243 of the mounting member beyondthe periphery of the body 22 so that the honing tool presents a uniformsurface of abrasive to the surface being honed without the possibilityof the mounting member 236 coming in contact with the surface beinghoned.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. Thisembodiment of the invention includes the stone and shell assemblies 26and the expander plates 34 previously described. In this embodiment ofthe invention, the central portions of the walls 348 and 350 of the body322 defining the slots 324 are disposed in diverging relationship sothat the central portions of the walls 348 and 350 flare downwardly andoutwardly from the periphery of the body 322, as viewed in FIG. 6, andthe maximum transverse distance between the outer surfaces 52 and 54 ofthe flanges 40 and 42 is slightly less than the minimum transversedistance between the walls 348 and 350 defining the slots 324 at theperiphery of the body 322. In this embodiment of the invention, themaximum transverse distance between the inner surfaces 56 and 58 of theflanges 40 and 42 is slightly less than the thickness of the outer endportion of the associated expander plate 34 as previously described sothat the mounting member 36 fits tightly over the outer end portion ofthe expander plate 34. It will be understood that, if desired, only oneof the walls defining the slot 324 may flare downwardly while the otherwall may be made substantially straight. The walls defining the oppositeend portions of the slot 324 are disposed in substantially parallelrelationship and the expander plate preferably extends the full width ofthe slot at each end thereof to provide stability from tilting aspreviously described.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone andshell assemblies 26 are initially fitted over the outer ends of theexpander plates 34 as previously described, the tight fit of the flanges40 and 42 on the outer end portion of the expander plates serving toretain the stone and shell assemblies thereon. The honing tool body 322is then inserted in the bore of a workpiece to be honed and the conemember 28 is moved downwardly, as previously described, so as to forcethe expander plates 34 radially outwardly with the result that theexpander plates force the abrasive elements 44 against the surface ofthe workpiece to be honed. At the same time, the relatively sharp radii66 and 72 on the outer end portion of the expander plates press againstthe radii 60 and 64 formed in the underside of the channel-shapedmounting member 36 and cause the flanges 40 and 42 to spread outwardlyand force the flanges 40 and 42 against the walls 348 and 350 definingthe tapered slot 324 in the body 322 thereby causing the flanges 40 and42 to bear tightly against the walls 348 and 350 to prevent the stoneand shell assembly 26 from moving out of the associated slot 324 uponwithdrawal of the honing tool from the workpiece. During the honingoperation, the abrasive elements 44 gradually wear away and, as theabrasive elements wear away, the cone member 28 is moved downwardlythrough the agency of the rod 32 so as to maintain the abrasive elementsin abrading engagement with the surface of the workpiece being honed.The radial dimensions of the expander plates 34 are such that theexpander plates 34 will not force the upper surface 46 of the webportion 38 of the mounting member beyond the I periphery of the body 322so that the honing tool presents a uniform surface of abrasive to thesurface being honed without the possibility of the mounting member 36coming in contact with the surface being honed.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. Thisembodiment of the invention may be utilized with either the body 22 orthe body 322 previously described. In this embodiment of the invention,stone and shell assemblies 426 are provided each comprised of a mountingmember 436 having a web portion 438, a pair of integral flange portions440 and 442 depending in spaced relationship from the opposite sides ofthe web portion 438, and a pair of upstanding rib portions 441 and 443projecting upwardly from the opposite sides of the web portions 438,made of extruded aluminum with the flange, web and rib portions having athickness of 0.012 to 0.016 inches. As shown in FIG. 7, an abrasiveelement 444 is provided which may be made of any suitable orconventional material normally employed in the honing of workpieces andcemented or otherwise adhered to the upper surface of the web portion438 of the mounting member 436 in the manner previously described.

In this embodiment of the invention, the inner surfaces 456 and 458 ofthe "flanges 440 and 442 taper downwardly and outwardly to provide aslight draft angle in the order of to 10. In this embodiment of theinvention, the maximum transverse distance between the inne-rsurfaces456 and 458 of the flanges 40 and 42 is slightly less than the thicknessof the outer end portion of the associated expander plate34 so that themounting member 36 fits tightly over the outer end portion of theexpander plate 34, and as the expander plate moves upwardly, as viewedin FIG. 7, the flanges 440 and 442 are forced outwardly because of thecam action of the surfaces 456 and 458 so as to force the outer surfacesof the'flanges against the sides of the associated slot 24 or 324.

. In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stoneandshell assemblies 426 are initially fitted over the outer ends of theexpander plates 34, the'tight fit of the flanges 440 and 442 on theouter end portion of the expander plates serving to retain the stone andshell assemblies thereon. The honing tool is then inserted in the boreof a workpiece to be honed and the cone member 28 is moved downwardly,as previously described, so as to force the expander plates 34 radiallyoutwardly with the result that the expander plates force the abrasiveelements against the surface of the workpiece to be honed. At .thesametime, the sides of the expander plates press against the inner taperedsurfaces 456 and 458 of the flanges 440 and 442 and cause the flanges440 and 442 to spread outwardly and force the flanges 440 and 442against the walls-defining the'slots 24 or 324 in the body of the honethereby causing the flanges 440 and 442 to bear tightly against thewalls defining the slot to prevent the stone and shell assembly 426 frommoving out of the associated slot upon withdrawal of the honing toolfrom the workpiece. During the honing operation, the abrasive elements444 gradually wear away and, as the abrasive elements wear away, thecone member 28 is moved downwardly through the agency of the rod 32 soas to maintain the abrasive elements in abrading engagement with thesurface of the workpiece being honed. The radial dimensions of theexpander plates 34 are such that the expander plates 34 will not forcethe upper surfaces of the rib portions 441 and 443 of the mountingmember beyond the periphery of the hone body so that the honing toolpresents a uniform surface of abrasive-to the surface being honedwithout the possibility of the mounting member 436 coming in contactwith the surface beinghoned.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 8. Thisembodiment of the invention includes the expander plate 34, thestone andshell assembly 126 and the body 322 defining the slots 324.

In this embodiment of the invention, the walls 348 and 350 of the body322 defining the slots 324 are disposed in diverging relationship, aspreviously described, and the maximum transverse distance between theouter surfaces of the flanges I40 and 142 is slightly less than theminimum transverse distance between the walls 348 and 350 defining theslots 324 at the periphery of the body 322. In this embodiment of theinvention, the maximum transverse distance between the inner surfaces ofthe flanges and 142 is slightly less than the thickness of the outer endportion of the associated expander plate 34 so that the mounting member136 fits tightly over the outer end portion of the expander plate 34.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone andshell assemblies 126 are initially fitted over the outer ends of theexpander plates 34 as previously described, the tight fit of the flanges140 and 142 on the outer end portion of the expander plates serving toretain the stone and shell assemblies thereon. The

honing tool is then inserted in the bore of a workpiece to be honed andthe cone member 28 is moved downwardly, as previously described, so asto'force the expander plates 34 radially outwardly with the result thatthe expander plates force the abrasive elements 144 against the surfaceofthe workpiece to be honed. At

the same time, the relatively sharp radii 66 and 72 on the outer endportion of the'expander plates press against the radii and 164 formed inthe underside of the mounting member 136 and cause the flanges 140 ingout of the associated slot 324 upon withdrawal of the honing tool fromthe workpiece. During the honing operation, the abrasive elements 144gradually wear away and, as the abrasive elements wear away, the conemember 28 is moved downwardly through the agency of the rod 32 so as tomaintain the abrasive elements in abrading engagement with the surfaceof the workpiece being honed. The radialdimensions of the expanderplates 34 are such that the expander plates 34 will not force the uppersurfaces of the rib portions of the mounting member beyond the peripheryof the body 322 so that the honing tool presents a uniform surface ofabrasive to the surface being honed without the possibility of themounting member 136 coming in contact with the surface being honed.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.This embodiment of the invention includes the body 22 and the stone andshell assembly 26 previously described. However, in this embodiment ofthe invention, the outer end portion of the expander plate 534 istapered as viewed in FIGS. 9 and 10, the taper being defined by thesurfaces 556 and 558 as shown in FIG. 9.

In this embodiment of the invention, the walls 48 and 1 1 1 member 36fits tightly over the outer end of the expander plate 534.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone andshell assemblies 26 are initially fitted over the outer ends of theexpander plates 534 as illustrated in FIG. 9, the tight fit of theflanges 40 and 42 on the outer end portion of the expander platesserving to retain the stone and shell assemblies thereon. The honingtool is then inserted in the bore of a workpiece to be honed and thecone member 28 is moved downwardly, as previously described, so as toforce the expander plates 534 radially outwardly with the result thatthe expander plates force the abrasive elements 44 against the surfaceof the workpiece to be honed. At the same time, the sloping surfaces 556and 558 on the outer end portion of the expander plates press againstthe flanges 40 and 42 and cause the flanges 40 and 42 to spreadoutwardly, as viewed in FIG. 10, and force the flanges 40 and 42 againstthe walls 48 and 50 defining the slots 24 in the body 22 thereby causingthe flanges 40 and 42 to bear tightly against the walls 48 and 50 toprevent the stone and shell assembly 26 from moving out of theassociated slot 24 upon withdrawal of the honing tool from theworkpiece. During the honing'operation, the abrasive elements 44gradually wear away and, as the abrasive elements wear away, the conemember 28 is moved downwardly through the agency of the rod 32 so as tomaintain the abrasive elements in abrading engagement with the surfaceof the workpiece being honed. The radial dimensions of the expanderplates 534 are such that the expander plates 534 will not force theupper surface of the web portion 38 of the mounting member beyond theperiphery of the body 22 so that the honing tool presents a uniformsurface of abrasive to the surface being honed without the possibilityof the mounting member 36 coming in contact with the surface beinghoned.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 11. Thisembodiment of the invention includes the body 22 and the expander plates34 previously described, and stone and shell assemblies 626 eachcomprised ofa generally channel-shaped mounting member 636 having a webportion 638 and a pair of integral flange portions 640 and 642 dependingin spaced relationship from the opposite sides of the web portion 638.As shown in FIG. 11, an abrasive element 644 is provided which may bemade of any suitable or conventional material normally employed in thehoning of workpieces and cemented or otherwise adhered to the uppersurface of the web portion 638 of the mounting member 636 in the mannerpreviously described.

In this embodiment of the invention, the flanges 640 and 642 of themounting member 636 are each provided with inwardly directed ribs 680and 682 adapted to bear against the flanks of the expander plate 34.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone andshell assemblies 624 are initially fitted over the outer ends of theexpander plates 34, the tight fit of the free end portions of theflanges 640 and 642 on the outer end portion of the expander platesserving to retain the stone and shell assemblies thereon. The honingtool 20 is then inserted in the bore of a workpiece to be honed and thecone member 28 is moved downwardly, as previously described, so as toforce the expander plates 34 radially outwardly with the result that theexpander plates force the abrasive elements 644 against the surface ofthe workpiece to be honed and the outer end portions of the expanderplates move past the ribs 680 and 682 so that the flanks of the expanderplate bear against the ribs 680 and 682 and cause the flanges 640 and642 to spread outwardly, as viewed in FIG. 11, and force the flanges 640and 642 against the walls 48 and 50 defining the slot 24 in the body 22thereby causing the flanges 640 and 642 to bear tightly against thewalls 48 and 50 to prevent the stone and shell assembly 626 from movingout of the associated slot 24 upon withdrawal of the honing tool fromthe workpiece. During the honing operation, the abrasive elements 644gradually wear away and, as the abrasive elements wear away, the conemember 28 is moved downwardly through the agency of the rod 32 so as tomaintain the abrasive elements in abrading engagement with the surfaceof the workpiece being honed. The radial dimensions of the expanderplates 34 are such that the expander plates 34 will not force the uppersurface of the web portion 638 of the mounting member beyond theperiphery of the body 22 so that the honing tool presents a uniformsurface of abrasive to the surface being honed without the possibilityof the mounting member 636 coming in contact with the surface beinghoned.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 12. Thisembodiment of the invention includes either the body 22 or the body 322and the stone and shell assembly 626. However, in this embodiment of theinvention, expander plates 734 are provided, the outer end portions ofwhich are tapered, as viewed in FIG. 12, the taper being defined by thesurfaces 756 and 758. In addition, recesses 784 and 786 are providedadapted to receive the ribs 680 and 682 provided on the flanges 640 and642 of the mounting member 636.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone andshell assemblies 626 are initially fitted over the outer ends of theexpander plates 734, the right fit of the free end portions of theflanges 640 and 642 on the outerend portion of the expander platesserving to retain the stone and shell assemblies thereon. The honingtool 20 is then inserted in the bore of a workpiece to be honed and thecone member 28 is moved downwardly, as previously described, so as toforce the expander plates 734 radially outwardly with the result thatthe expander plates force the abrasive elements 644 against the surfaceof the workpiece to be honed. At the same time, the sloping surfaces 756and 758 on the outer end portion of the expander plates press againstthe ribs 680 and 682 and the flanges 640 and 642 and cause the flanges640 and 642 to spread outwardly, as viewed in FIG. 12, and force theflanges 640 and 642 against the walls 48 and 50 defining the slot 24 inthe body 22 thereby causing the flanges 640 and 642 to bear tightlyagainst the walls 48 and 50 to prevent the stone and shell assembly 626from moving out of the associated slot 24 upon withdrawal of the honingtool from the workpiece. In this embodiment of the invention, the ribs680 and 682 move into the recesses 784 and 786 to assist in retractingthe stone and shell assembly 626 into the slot 24. During the honingoperation, the abrasive elements 644 gradually wear away and, as theabrasive elements wear away, the cone member 28 is moved downwardlythrough the agency of the rod 32 so as to maintain the abrasive elementsin abrading engagement with the surface of the workpiece being honed.The radial dimensions of the expander plates 734 are such that theexpander plates 734 will not force the upper surface of the web portion638 of the mounting member beyond the periphery of the body 22 so thatthe honing tool presents a uniform surface of abrasive to the surfacebeing honed without the possibility of the mounting member 636 coming incontact with the surface being honed.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 13 throughand is comprised of a honing tool, generally designated 828, which isadapted to be rotated and reciprocated in the bore of a workpiece in aconventional manner. The honing tool 820 includes a substantiallycylindrical body 822 defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced,longitudinally extending slots 824 each adapted to receive an abrasivestone and shell assembly generally designated 826. The honing tool 20also includes a generally cone-shaped member 828 which is mounted forrelative reciprocation within the bore 830 defined by the body 822, themember 828 being fixed to an operating rod 832 which functions toadvance and retract the member 828 relative to the body 822. The members822, 828 and 832 may be made of steel or other suitable material havingsufficient strength to withstand the forces-exerted thereon. The member828 is adapted to bear against a plurality of circumferentially spacedexpander plates 834 which project generally radially outwardly fromthemember 828, the outer end portions of the expander plates 834 beingdisposed within an associated slot 824 and being adapted to forcethestone and shell assemblies 826 radially outwardly of the slots as themember 828 moves downwardly in the bore 838, as viewed in FIG. 14. Theexpander plates 834 may be made of steel, plastic or other suitablematerial having sufficient strength to withstand the forces exertedthereon.

In this embodiment of the invention, each of the stone and shellassemblies 826 is comprised of a generally channel-shaped mountingmember 836 having a web portion 838 and a pair of integral flangeportions 840 and 842 depending in spaced relationship from the oppositesides of the web portion 838. The end portions of the mounting member836 are also provided with upstanding rib portions 841A, 8418, 843A and843B which project upwardly from the end portions of the web 838.

In this embodiment of the invention, the flange portions 840 and 842flare downwardly and outwardly and the central portion 888 of the flange840'is flared outwardly to provide a tapered recess 890 adapted toreceive a tapered rib 891 provided on the central portion of theexpander plate 834, the rib flaring downwardly and outwardly from theouter end of the expander plate 834, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Therib 891 is adapted to force the portion 888 of the flange 840 into agroove 892 provided in the wall 848 defining one side of the slot 824,as will be described hereinafter in greater detail. In this embodimentof the invention, an abrasive element 844 is provided which'is cementedor otherwise adhered to the upper surface of the web portion 838 of themounting member 836 in the manner previously described, the ribs 841A,841B, 843A and 843B serving to increase the mechanical strength of thebond between the abrasive element and the mounting member 836.

In this embodiment of the invention, the walls 848 and 850 of the body822 defining the slots 824 are disposed in substantially parallelrelationship, the wall 848 defining the groove 852 as previouslymentioned. The flanges 840 and 842 initially flare downwardly andoutwardly from the web 838 so that the maximum transverse distancebetween the outer surfaces 852 and 854 of the flanges 848 and 842 isslightly greater than the minimum transverse distance between the walls848 and 850 defining the slots 824. In this embodiment of the invention,the surface 893 of the rib 891 is adapted to force the portion 888 ofthe flange 848 into the groove 892 and the maximum transverse distancebetween the inner surface of the portion 888 of the flange 840 isslightly less than the cross-sectional thickness of the expander plate834 including the rib portion 891 thereof so that the rib portion 891will force the central portion 888 into the groove 892 when the expanderplate is forced into the mounting member 836.

In this embodiment of the invention the flanges 840 and 842 areinitially pinched in slightly when the mounting member 836 is initiallyinserted in the slot 824 so that the flanges engage the walls 848 and850 to hold the mounting member in the slot.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention,

the stone and shell assemblies 826 are initially fitted into the slots824 in the manner previously described, the tight fit of the flanges 840and 842 against the walls 848 and 850 of the body 822 serving to retainthe stone and shell assemblies in the slots 824. The honing tool body822 is then inserted in the bore of a workpiece to be honed and the conemember 828 is moved downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 14, so as to force theexpander plates 834 radially outwardly with the result that the expanderplates force the abrasive elements 844 against the surface of theworkpiece to be honed. At the same time, the surface 893 on eachexpander plate 834 forces the portion 888 of the flange 848 into theassociated groove 892 in the body 822 and wedges the portion 888 in thegroove 892 to prevent the stone and shell assembly 826 from moving outof the associated slot 824 upon withdrawal of the honing tool from theworkpiece. During the honing operation, the abrasive elements 844gradually wear away and, as the abrasive elements wear away, the conemember 828 is moved downwardly through the agency of the rod 832 so asto maintain the abrasive elements in abrading engagement with thesurfaceof the workpiece being honed. The radial dimensions of theexpander plates 834 are such that the expander plates 834 will not forcethe upper surfaces, of the rib portions 841A 841B, 843A and 843B of themounting member beyond the periphery of the body 822 so that the honingtool presents a uniform surface of abrasive to the surface being honedwithout the possibility of the mounting members 836 coming in contactwith the surface being honed.

While preferred'embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it will be understood that various changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a honing tool, the combination including a tubular body defining abore and at least one longitudinally extending outwardly opening radialslot communicating with said bore, a mounting member disposed in saidslot and having a web extending transversely of said slot and a pair offlanges projecting inwardly of said slot, an abrasive element secured tosaid web and projecting radially outwardly of said slot, and means forforcing said flanges into wedging engagement with said body.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, said mounting member alsoincluding a pair of integral ribs projecting outwardly of said web onopposite sides of 5 said abrasive element.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flanges areinitially disposed in diverging relationship and flare outwardly fromsaid web, the maximum transverse distance between the outer surfaces ofsaid flange portions being greater than the minimum transverse distanceacross said slot.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 1, the inner surfaces of saidflanges tapering outwardly from said web portion.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 1, said flanges each beingprovided with longitudinally extending ribs disposed in confrontingrelationship and extending substantially parallel to the plane of saidweb.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 1, one of said flanges havingan outwardly projecting portion defining a tapered recess.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein opposed surfaces ofsaid body defining said slot are disposed in parallel relationship.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein surfaces of said bodydefining side portions of said slot converge inwardly toward theperiphery of said body.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 1 including an expander platemounted in said body and projecting generally radially outwardly withthe outer end portion thereof being disposed in said slot, said flangesoverlying said outerend portion of said plate, and means for forcingsaid plate into engagement with said member whereby said flanges areexpanded into wedging engagement with said body.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 9, said outer end portion ofsaid plate being provided with spaced parallel surfaces engageable withthe inner surfaces of said flanges.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 9, said outer end portion ofsaid plate being provided with tapered surfaces, said tapered surfacesbeing engageable with said flanges of said mounting member.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11, said tapered surfaces eachbeing provided with recesses extending longitudinally of said slot.

13. in a honing tool, the combination including a tubular body havingsurfaces defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced,longitudinally extending, outwardly opening slots, an abrasive stone andshell assembly disposed in each of said slots, each of said stone andshell assemblies including a mounting member having a web and a pair ofintegral flanges projecting in spaced relationship from one side of saidweb, an abrasive element secured to the opposite side of said web, aplurality of circumferentially spaced expander plates carried by saidbody and projecting radially outwardly with the outer end portionsthereof being disposed in said slots, said mounting member beingprovided with predetermined radii at the junctions of said flanges withsaid web, and means for forcing said outer end portions of said expanderplates into engagement with said junctions on said mounting memberwhereby said flanges are expanded into wedging engagement with saidsurfaces of said body.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 13, opposite sides of saidouter end portions of said expander plates having corners provided withpredetermined radii and engageable with said junctions.

15. The combination as set forth in claim 13, said mounting member alsoincluding a pair of integral ribs projecting outwardly of said web onopposite sides of said abrasive element.

16. The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said flanges areinitially disposed in diverging relationship and flare outwardly fromsaid web, the maximum transverse distance between the outer surfaces ofsaid flanges being greater than the minimum transverse distanee acrosseach said slot.

17. The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein opposed surfaces ofsaid body defining said slot are disposed in parallel relationship.

18. The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said surfaces ofsaid body defining side portions of said slot converge inwardly towardthe periphery of said body.

19. in a honing tool, the combination including a tubular body havingsurfaces defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced,longitudinally extending, outwardly opening slots, an abrasive stone andshell assembly disposed in each of said slots, each of said stone andshell assemblies including a mounting member having a web and a pair ofintegral flanges projecting in spaced relationship from one side of saidweb, an abrasive element secured to the opposite side of said web, aplurality of circumferentially spaced expander plates carried by saidbody and projecting radially outwardly with the outer end portionsthereof being disposed in said slots, one of said flanges on each ofsaid members having an outwardly projecting portion defining a taperedrecess, one of said surfaces defining each of said slots having a groovetherein aligned with said outwardly projecting portion of the associatedmounting member, each of said expander plates including a rib portionaligned with the tapered recess in the associated mounting member, saidrib portion being adapted to force said outwardly projecting portioninto said aligned groove to wedge said mounting member in its associatedslot.

abrasive element.

1. In a honing tool, the combination including a tubular body defining abore and at least one longitudinally extending outwardly opening radialslot communicating with said bore, a mounting member disposed in saidslot and having a web extending transversely of said slot and a pair offlanges projecting inwardly of said slot, an abrasive element secured tosaid web and projecting radially outwardly of said slot, and means forforcing said flanges into wedging engagement with said body.
 2. Thecombination as set forth in claim 1, said mounting member also includinga pair of integral ribs projecting outwardly of said web on oppositesides of said abrasive element.
 3. The combination as set forth in claim1 wherein said flanges are initially disposed in diverging relationshipand flare outwardly from said web, the maximum transverse distancebetween the outer surfaces of said flange portions being greater thanthe minimum transverse distance across said slot.
 4. The combination asset forth in claim 1, the inner surfaces of said flanges taperingoutwardly from said web portion.
 5. The combination as set forth inclaim 1, said flanges each being provided with longitudinally extendingribs disposed in confronting relationship and extending substantiallyparallel to the plane of said web.
 6. The combination as set forth inclaim 1, one of said flanges having an outwardly projecting portiondefining a tapered recess.
 7. The combination as set forth in claim 1wherein opposed surfaces of said body defining said slot are disposed inparallel relationship.
 8. The combination as set forth in claim 1wherein surfaces of said body defining side portions of said slotconverge inwardly toward the periphery of said body.
 9. The combinationas set forth in claim 1 including an expander plate mounted in said bodyand projecting generally radially outwardly with the outer end portionthereof being disposed in said slot, said flanges overlying said outerend portion of said plate, and means for forcing said plate intoengagement with said member whereby said flanges are expanded intowedging engagement with said body.
 10. The combination as set forth inclaim 9, said outer end portion of said plate being provided with spacedparallel surfaces engageable with the inner surfaces of said flanges.11. The combination as set forth in claim 9, said outer end portion ofsaid plate being provided with tapered surfaces, said tapered surfacesbeing engageable with said flanges of said mounting member.
 12. Thecombination as set forth in claim 11, said tapered surfaces each beingprovided with recesses extending longitudinally of said slot.
 13. In ahoning tool, the combination including a tubular body having surfacesdefining a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinallyextending, outwardly opening slots, an abrasive stone and shell assemblydisposed in each of said slots, each of said stone and shell assembliesincluding a mounting member having a web and a pair of integral flangesprojecting in spaced relationship from one side of said web, an abrasiveelement secured to the opposite side of said web, a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced expander plates carried by said body andprojecting radially outwardly with the outer end portions thereof beingdisposed in said slots, said mounting member being provided withpredetermined radii at the junctions of sAid flanges with said web, andmeans for forcing said outer end portions of said expander plates intoengagement with said junctions on said mounting member whereby saidflanges are expanded into wedging engagement with said surfaces of saidbody.
 14. The combination as set forth in claim 13, opposite sides ofsaid outer end portions of said expander plates having corners providedwith predetermined radii and engageable with said junctions.
 15. Thecombination as set forth in claim 13, said mounting member alsoincluding a pair of integral ribs projecting outwardly of said web onopposite sides of said abrasive element.
 16. The combination as setforth in claim 13 wherein said flanges are initially disposed indiverging relationship and flare outwardly from said web, the maximumtransverse distance between the outer surfaces of said flanges beinggreater than the minimum transverse distance across each said slot. 17.The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein opposed surfaces ofsaid body defining said slot are disposed in parallel relationship. 18.The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said surfaces of saidbody defining side portions of said slot converge inwardly toward theperiphery of said body.
 19. In a honing tool, the combination includinga tubular body having surfaces defining a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced, longitudinally extending, outwardly opening slots, an abrasivestone and shell assembly disposed in each of said slots, each of saidstone and shell assemblies including a mounting member having a web anda pair of integral flanges projecting in spaced relationship from oneside of said web, an abrasive element secured to the opposite side ofsaid web, a plurality of circumferentially spaced expander platescarried by said body and projecting radially outwardly with the outerend portions thereof being disposed in said slots, one of said flangeson each of said members having an outwardly projecting portion defininga tapered recess, one of said surfaces defining each of said slotshaving a groove therein aligned with said outwardly projecting portionof the associated mounting member, each of said expander platesincluding a rib portion aligned with the tapered recess in theassociated mounting member, said rib portion being adapted to force saidoutwardly projecting portion into said aligned groove to wedge saidmounting member in its associated slot.
 20. The combination as set forthin claim 19, each mounting member including a pair of ribs projectingfrom each end of said web on opposite sides of said abrasive element.